A COMPARATIVE HISTOLOGICAL STUDY OF CALCIUM-SILICATE CEMENTS FOR DIRECT PULP CAPPING IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

Maintaining pulp vitality is essential for the long-term health of teeth. Direct pulp capping aims to stimulate reparative dentin formation and prevent pulp necrosis. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of novel calcium silicate–based materials on the pulpal inflammatory response and dentin bridge formation using a Wistar rat model.
A total of 18 Wistar rats (72 maxillary molars: 36 first and 36 second) were included and divided into two groups (A and B; n = 9). In Group A, Theracal LC was applied to the exposed pulp of the right maxillary molars, while MTA was applied to the left molars. In Group B, Calxyl was applied to the right molars, and Biodentine and MTA were applied to the first and second left molars, respectively. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis.
After 30 days, the lowest pulpal inflammatory response was observed with Theracal LC, followed by Biodentine, which showed a comparable level of inflammation but with slightly more polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The highest inflammatory response was recorded with Calxyl. A statistically significant difference in inflammation levels was found between Theracal/Calxyl (p = 0.041), Theracal/MTA (p = 0.034), Biodentine/Calxyl (p = 0.044), and Biodentine/MTA (p = 0.039). All tested materials demonstrated a strong capacity to induce dentin bridge formation.
In conclusion, the new calcium silicate–based materials exhibited favorable biological properties, with Theracal LC and Biodentine showing the lowest inflammatory response. All materials promoted reparative dentinogenesis, confirming their potential for use in direct pulp capping procedures.
Keywords: pulp capping, Theracal LC, Biodentine.